Pink Suitcase Chronicles #17: SWEET Seventeen.

Pink and I have just returned from Omaha, Nebraska where we celebrated the bridal shower for Kari and John at First Covenant Church!

How I love a church shower...women of all ages surrounding the bride-to-be with love, memories and gifts of measuring cups, aprons, tea towels, colanders, hot pots, towels, bedding, etc.. It is all so exciting to think about a fresh, new beginning with your husband-to-be in the little new love nest!

There's a message from an appointed speaker (in this case, it was Kari's delightful Aunt Glo) interspersed with scripture, stories and encouragement for the bride.

There's a table full of delicious foods, colorful napkins, pots with coffee -oh the coffee - for the guests.There are the people that you can make connections with even if you are an out-of-towner like myself. Which means, especially if you are a Covenanter, that you will connect with the Mother-in-Laws of people in your own church like Mrs. Palmberg (I reported how Sarah is looking as a pregnant mom) and Mrs. Carlson (MIL of Brad. H. who grew up in our church, leading us to talk about the new additions of Fia and Kwama for the Jag's in Seattle area.)

Then there's the radiant bride, making her speech about how she met her fiance. (And when that guy happens to be your son, it is especially sweet.) Her lovely Mom sits on one side, and his Mom (me!) on the other.

Once the gifts are opened, there's the oohing and ahhing about each gift, and the attendees remember what they got at their own bridal showers all those years ago. And, if you're like me and have been married a while, you start to think how nice it would be if you could start all over again with your household goods now a bit tired and out-dated, but wouldn't trade your memories of a certain wire whisk for anything as you remember the countless batters it has made for your family pancakes and omelettes. Lastly, if you're lucky, you get to catch a glimpse of the groom-to-be "stopping by" at the end of the shower. He's there to help carry the gifts out to the car, and meet the ladies who hope to check out the match.

(I happen to love this shot of John and Kari post-shower. Doesn't it just capture the groom experience at a church shower?)

Thank you, women of First Covenant Church, for hosting and having a shower for Kari and John! It truly was a shower of blessing for the new young couple, and every minute of it was savored.